Heap a Helping of These Handcrafted Happiness That Oozes Harmony in Every Homemade Bite

This is part of our alphabet series and for this time we are focusing on the homely ‘H’. A lot of treats fall under this alphabet, and let’s just say, they are soul-warming and delicious.

Hidden gems await discovery as we take a tour through the tasty alphabet 'H'. We bring you childhood favorites that mingle with creative concoctions in this celebration of all things sweet. Come, join the journey to find your new favorite dessert, or rediscover an old friend among our lineup of ‘H’ letter-themed delights.

The nip in the air could use a good companion and these desserts are the perfect ones. Bake them, make them or cook them and store them in the fridge for when the craving hits!

1. Hot Cocoa Fudge

You can never go wrong with cocoa or fudge, and when these combine, they create the perfect chewy treat that is as snackable as it is tasty.

Ingredients:

• 400 gm marshmallows
• 400 ml sweetened condensed milk
• 60 ml cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

• Line a square (brownie) baking pan with baking paper, leaving some overhang on two sides to lift the fudge out later. Set it aside.
• In a large saucepan, combine the marshmallows and condensed milk. Heat over medium, stirring frequently, until the marshmallows are melted and the mixture is smooth, for about 5-7 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the cocoa powder, salt, and vanilla until well combined.
• Pour the fudge into the prepared pan and use a spatula to spread it evenly. Allow it to cool completely before cutting into squares.
• The fudge will stay good in an airtight container when kept at room temperature for up to 1 week.

2. Halwa Bites

The classic comforting halwa takes a new form and transforms into measurable cubes, slices or rectangles that can be had at any time and anywhere when the sugar craving hits.

Ingredients:

• 500 gm semolina or sooji
• 500 ml milk
• 250 gm sugar
• 100 gm butter
• 50 gm Cadbury Cocoa Powder
• 1/2 tsp cardamom powder

Instructions:

• In a saucepan, bring the milk to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, add the semolina and stir continuously with a whisk so there are no lumps. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
• Add the sugar and butter. Continue cooking and stirring for another 5-7 minutes until the mixture thickens.
• Stir in the cocoa powder and cardamom powder. Cook for 1 more minute.
• Remove from the heat and transfer to a serving dish. Allow to cool completely before cutting into squares or diamonds to serve.

3. Honey Cake

Bet you haven't ever tried or baked this one! Honey combines with the classic cake ingredients and produces a dense, moist and oh-so-soft cake, with a hint of spice that is sure to become a favorite in the family.

Ingredients:

• 250 gm butter, softened
• 250 gm honey
• 250 gm light brown sugar
• 4 eggs
• 500 gm self-raising flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 250 ml milk

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 160°C and grease and line a 20 cm round cake tin.
• Cream together the butter, honey and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in the eggs one at a time, adding a spoonful of flour after each addition.
• Fold in the remaining flour, cinnamon and ginger alternately with the milk.
• Pour the batter into the prepared tin.
• Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Allow to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before shifting to a flat surface to cool completely.
• This is optional but you can dust it with powdered sugar as a garnish.

4. Hot Cross Buns

One nursery rhyme made this a memorable sweet for all of us. If you haven’t tasted hot cross buns, then this recipe is for you, bake and serve it to your fellow lost souls over tea or coffee.

Ingredients:

• 500 gm bread flour
• 7 gm salt
• 7 gm sugar
• 7 gm dried yeast
• 100 ml milk, warmed
• 50 gm butter, softened
• 1 egg
• 50 gm raisins

For the cross:

• 100 gm plain flour
• 50 ml water

Instructions:

• Mix the flour, salt, sugar and yeast together in a large bowl. Make a well in the center.
• Mix the milk, butter, egg and 50 ml water together in a separate bowl. Pour into the well and mix to a soft dough. Knead for 10 minutes.
• Add the raisins and knead for another 2 minutes.
• Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with cling film. Leave to rise for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
• Punch the dough down and divide into 12 equal pieces. Shape into rounds and place on a lined baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart. Cover and leave to rise for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 200°C.
• To make the cross, mix the plain flour and 50 ml water to a paste. Pipe or spoon the paste onto the buns to make a cross shape.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the heat and let it cook before serving.